Episode Summary
Xia Mo confirms that Gao Yue was sacrificed by her father, Gao Susheng, prompting a devastated Gao Ying to ally with Xia Mo against him. As Gao Susheng retaliates with a failed raid on their hideout, a city-wide stock market frenzy escalates. It is also revealed that Xia Mo's deceased wife, Fu Ying, is a hallucination born from his trauma.
Spoiler Alert
"Rosefinch" Episode 26
The devastating truth behind Gao Yue's death is finally confirmed, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation. Under the pretext of a Taoist ritual, Gao Ying arranges for Xia Mo to examine her sister's body. Xia Mo discovers a distinctive diamond-shaped wound on Gao Yue's arm, a clear sign of violent abuse. He concludes that she was sacrificed by her own father, Gao Susheng, as a gift to Commander Zhao Jin.
The revelation leaves Gao Ying heartbroken and filled with regret. While she initially lashes out at Xia Mo for using an account ledger to drive a wedge between her father and Zhao Jin, her deepest fury is directed at Gao Susheng for his willingness to sacrifice his daughter for power. Xia Mo argues that to defeat powerful men like Gao Susheng and Zhao Jin, they need her help and the influence of her family. His plea works, and a grief-stricken Gao Ying decides to break away from her father and join the fight against him.
In a quieter, more personal subplot, Tang Zhenyun comes across a photograph of Xia Mo with a woman named Fu Ying. Xia Yingqi explains that Fu Ying was Xia Mo's wife, who was tragically killed by muggers. The trauma was so profound that Xia Mo has been unable to move on, often imagining she is still alive and holding conversations with her.
Meanwhile, Gao Susheng learns that Xia Mo's group was responsible for leaking the ledger and orders their immediate elimination. His subordinate, Gao Fei, leads a raid on their hideout at "No. 25" but fails to find the secret passage where they are hiding. They escape thanks to the help of Song Mama, who refuses any payment for her assistance, stating she simply cannot stand the Gao family.
Just as they think they are safe, a commotion erupts outside. A speculative frenzy over "Great World Entertainment Stocks" has gripped the public, with people mortgaging their homes to buy in. Bao Rui is seen trading a gold bracelet for shares, earning her a furious slap from Song Mama. The episode reveals a bitter irony as Gao Ying, now secretly allied against her father, is seen at Yongli Bank, dutifully following his orders to acquire the very assets people are desperately mortgaging.
